Photoredox-catalyzed C–C bond cleavage of cyclopropanes for the formation of C(sp3)–heteroatom bonds

Abstract Sterically congested C–O and C–N bonds are ubiquitous in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and bioactive compounds. However, the development of a general method for the efficient construction of those sterically demanding covalent bonds still remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a photoredox-driven ring-opening C( sp 3 )–heteroatom bond formation of arylcyclopropanes is presented, which enables the construction of structurally diversified while sterically congested dialkyl ether, alkyl ester, alcohol, amine, chloride/fluoride, azide and also thiocyanate derivatives. The selective single electron oxidation of aryl motif associated with the thermodynamic driving force from ring strain-release is the key for this transformation. By this synergistic activation mode, C–C bond cleavage of otherwise inert cyclopropane framework is successfully unlocked. Further mechanistic and computational studies disclose a complete stereoinversion upon nucleophilic attack, thus proving a concerted S N 2-type ring-opening functionalization manifold, while the regioselectivity is subjected to an orbital control scenario.